online shop checklist for austria
Planning an online shop in Austria? This comprehensive checklist guides you through all the important aspects - from legal requirements to payment providers and shipping options.
legal foundations
An online shop in Austria is subject to strict legal requirements. The E-Commerce Act (ECG), the Distance and Off-Premises Contracts Act (FAGG) and the GDPR form the legal foundation.
- • Complete legal notice (name, address, VAT ID)
- • Terms & conditions and cancellation policy
- • Privacy policy (GDPR compliant)
- • Price labeling incl. VAT and shipping
- • Cookie banner with opt-in
payment providers for austria
Austrian customers expect certain payment methods. The right selection directly impacts your conversion rate.
- Klarna: Buy now, pay later - very popular in AT
- PayPal: Internationally trusted
- eps transfer: Austrian online banking
- Credit card: Visa, Mastercard mandatory
- Apple Pay / Google Pay: For mobile buyers
- Sofort/Klarna: Direct bank transfer
Payment service providers like Stripe, Mollie or Unzer bundle multiple payment methods in one integration.
shipping options in austria
Austrian Post is the market leader, but there are alternatives. Consider which options make sense for your products and target audience.
Nationwide coverage, parcel stations, affordable for standard packages
Strong in B2B, Predict service for time windows
Parcel shops, FlexDelivery for flexible delivery
Premium express, strong internationally
gdpr compliance
The GDPR affects every online shop. Violations can be costly - up to 4% of annual revenue or 20 million euros.
- • Privacy policy with all data processing activities
- • Cookie consent with genuine opt-in
- • Conclude data processing agreements (DPA)
- • Maintain a processing register
- • SSL/TLS for all pages
- • Implement the right to deletion
technical requirements
The technical foundation determines performance and scalability. Choose the right shop system for your requirements.
- Shopify: Quick start, low technical effort
- WooCommerce: Flexible, WordPress-based
- Shopware: Made in Germany, B2B-capable
- Magento: Enterprise-level, complex
Pay attention to mobile optimization - over 60% of purchases are now made via smartphones.
taxes and accounting
VAT in Austria is 20% (reduced 10% or 13%). For EU-wide sales, the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) procedure has been in effect since 2021.
Use accounting software that integrates with your shop. sevDesk, lexoffice or BMD are common in Austria.
A successful online shop in Austria requires careful planning. Legal compliance, the right payment and shipping options, and a solid technical foundation are the cornerstones.
When in doubt, seek expert advice - investing in professional support pays off in the long run.
Web developer and strategist from Vienna. Passionate about clever solutions that make everyday life easier.